Pulse responsive control apparatus in a coin demand selling system



Jan. 17, 1956 R. E. GOTTFRIED 2,731,620

PULSE RESPONSIVE CONTROL APPARATUS' IN A CIN DEMAND SELLING SYSTEM Filed May 10, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 AAA AAAAAAA Jan. 17, 1956 R. E. GoTTFRn-:D

PULSE RESPONSIVE CONTROL APPARATUS IN A COIN DEMAND SELLING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May l0, 1951 rTme/vEys PULSE RESPONSIVE CONTROL APPARATUS Jan. 17, 1956 R E.Go'TTFR1ED 2,731,620

IN A COIN DEMAND SELLING SYSTEM Filed May l0, 1951r 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIQJ INVENTORS.

Jan. 17, 1956 R. E. GoTTFRu-:D

PULSE RESPONSIVE CONTROL APPARATUS IN A COIN DEMAND SELLING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 10, 1951 PULSE RESPONSIVE CONTROL APPARATUS IN Al COIN DEMAND SELLING SYSTEM Robert E. Gottfried, West llos Angeles,Calif., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Internationai Teiemeter Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Appvliafion May y10,1951, serial Nazzsnss l 4 Claims. (cl. 340-147),

. The present invention relates to improvements in the art* of transmitting` secret .information such as, foreX- ample, scrambled or` unintelligible television signals, and more specifically tothepulse responsive control apparatus in a system of the character described and claimed in the copending patent application, Serial No. 225,651,

l filed May l0, l95l,`and assigned to the same assignee,

wherein in such application il. am listedas a joint inventor with Allen D. Hoffmann and'Roy M. Sireirik. Such sys tem brieiiy is of the Vcharacter which is rendered opera-r tive upon the user at the receiving stationy lacknowledging a coin demand which isl transmitted from a transmitting# station. i i

While the present invention is embodied and described for use inta television system of this character, it will be apparent that the uses for the same are not limited thereto, and that the claims appended hereto are not specifically limited to such system.

The present Vinvention contemplates `improved pulse responsive apparatus for operating in the following order: rst, a coiny demand apparatus for settingup a coin demand which must first b'e acknowledged by` the user before the 'pulseresponsive apparatus is operative to perform its second and third functions, the second function being to energize the Vdrivingmotor of recording`apparatus,` and the third function being to energize the re'- cording head of the Arecording apparatus." After these three functions are achieved, `the apparatus is automatically locked out, i. e., rendered insensitive to further pulses which are continuously transmitted from a relatedv transmitting station.V Y

ByV the acknowledgment of a coin demand is meant a payment or other indication of the desire to purchase that for which a coin demand is yestablished at the subscriber receiver. The coin demand is the price requestedto be paid for enabling `the viewing of a program. This price will vary with different programs and; therefore, "a coin demand maybe considered as a variable price coin demand and the apparatus for establishing it in response toV signals from the transmitter is variable pricecbin-demand apparatus. p l d 't As is`well known, transmitted television signals comprise a video signal and related soundsignal.` `According to present standards set. forth `by `the Federal Communications Commission, the sound istransmitted on a `frequency modulated wave, the mean frequency of which is displaced in the order of 4.5 megacycies fromthe related video signal. The system described and claimed in the aforementioned patentapplicationuses three `different tone signals somewhat above the audible range to modulate the sound wave in the same manner as the audio signal modulates-the soundwave. `'Vl'hese three `tone signals arein the formeof coded pulses and occur alternately, one of such tonesignals serving to convey 'lcoin' 'demand information, a second tone signal serving for rei cordingpurposes so that #permanent record may be ob- ICC tained whereby the collected coins may be identified, and a third tone signalserving for monitoring purposes.

The present invention relates more specifically to the means whereby 'the `aforementioned three tone signals appearing recurrently and alternately as pulses are utilized to effect the operation of novel control apparatus for achieving the aforementioned indicated results.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide improved pulse responsive apparatus which is capable of achieving the aforementioned indicated results with a relativelysmall number of different pulses, i. e., three difi ferent pulses.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved pulse responsive apparatus of this character whereby the aforementioned functions are achieved in that order regardless of the particular time 2l at which the user may turn on his receiving apparatus or tune his receiving apparatus to an incoming broadcast from a station 'which continuously transmits such pulses. Y Another specific object of the present invention is to provide improved pulse responsive apparatus of this chari acter which automatically locks itself out after the aforementioned cycle of events or functions have been realized. Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved pulse responsive apparatus of this character whichautmatically clears itself upon the cessa-V tion ofthe pulses whichoriginally caused its actuation.

Another specific object of thepresent invention is to provide improved pulse responsive apparatus of this character which automatically clears itself upon the user of the receiving apparatus tuning his receiving apparatus for reception from one station to another station.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-clearing pulse responsive control apparatus of this character which does not require the transmission of a clearing signal, and in that respect 1 the present invention maybe considered to be an improvement over the arrangement shown in the copending' application of Del Riccio et al., Serial No. 189,262, iiled October 9, 1950, and assigned to the same assignee,` in

which the present inventor is listed as a jointinventor with Lorenzo del Riccio`,'Roy M. Skeirik and Allen D.

. Hoffmann.

- provide improved pulse responsive control apparatus of this character which is operated by code signals, essentially two in number, i. e., a tio-called coin demand signal or puise and a so-called record code signal or pulse; these two code signals or pulses, however, being useful for other purposes such as Afor conditioning the apparatus at the 'receiving station for proper operation regardless of the time at which the user of the receiving set first turns on and/or tunes the set in relationship to the cyclical transmissionof such code signalsfrom the transmitter.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. This invention itself, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of apparatus at one of the` plurality of transmitting stations. from which code signals or pulses emanate for effecting operation Vof the 3 pulse responsive apparatus Aforrrling ,an important part .of the present invention and shown in Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of apparatus at the receiving station which is sensitive to the frequency modulation `components of the sound .carrier transmitted 13Q and source 13F; vresistances 14G., 14Q vand source by the apparatus shown in Figure 1, and includes the pulse responsive `control apparatus forming .an important part of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows in more simplilied form the relay switching arrangement shown in Figure 2;

Figures .4 and 5, respectively, show in enlarged form the manner in which the coin demand arm and the coin actuate arm .shown in Figures 2 and 3 coact with common stationary contacts for achieving a coincident condition.

Figure 6 shows an apertured plate which insures that three tone signals are developed. v

Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of the endless tape shown in Figure 1 which is used for producing the tone signals.

With reference to Figure l, the `frequency modulated transmitter 10 serves to radiate into space, by means of antenna 1,1, frequency modulated signals, the components of whichY comprise first the television program audio signals developed, for example, in microphone, or, for exi ample, phonograph pickup 12, and second the series of tone frequencies or pulses f1, f2 and is developed respectively by the tone modulators 13, 14, and 15. The frequency of the tones f1, f2, and f3 may be, for example, respectively as being 17.9 kilocycles, 20 kilocycles and 22 kilocycles, which are frequencies well above the frequencies in the audible range developed in the sound modulator stage 16, which includes the microphone 0I Pickup 12. Although it is preferred that these three tone frequencies lie above the audible band for practical reasons, concepts of the present invention may be practiced when such frequencies f1, f2, f3, or any one ofithem is a sub-audible frequency. l

The modulator stages 13, 14 and 15 each includes continuously oscillating networks which include respectively pairs of tubes 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, the frequency of oscillation in each of such networks 13, 14, being determined by the frequency of the associated crystal 13C, 14C, 15C. While one specific type of supersonic oscillation network is shown in Figure l, the present invention is not critical in that regard, forY it is well understood that other types than the one shown may be used for these purposes. Oscillations developed in networks 13, 14 and 1S are transferred respectivelyv through condensers 13D, 14D and 15D to the control grids of tubes 13E, 14E

and 15E, respectively. The cathodes of these tubes 13E,

14E, 15E are returned to ground through parallel connected resistances 18 and 1 9 as well as by series circuit which includes the serially connected resistances 20 and 21.

While the oscillation networks 13, 14 and 15 continu-V and 13G; resistances 14S and 14G; and resistances 15SV and 15G. The anodes of tubes 13T, 14T and 15T are connected to a positive terminal of corresponding anode voltage sources 13M, 14M and 15M through corresponding voltage dropping resistances. 13R, 14R and ISR. The cathodes of tubes 13T, 14T and 15T are connected to the ungrounded negative terminal of voltage sources 13N,

14N and 15N, respectively. The control grids of tubes Y 13E, 14E`and v15E are returned toY ground, respectively, through the following series circuits:Y resistances 13G,

14F; and resistances 15G, 15Q and source 15F. The tubes 13E, 14E and 15E are connected essentially as gated cathode followers vand have their anodes connected di rectly to the positive terminal of voltage sources 13L, 14L and ISL, respectively.

The tubes 13T, 14T and 15T are coupled to phototubes 133, 14] and 15J, respectively. All these photocells are connected in identical manner, and a detailed description of the connection of phototube 13] suffices to describe the other connections. The phototube 13] is connected in a series circuit with resistance 13X and voltage sources 13Y and 13Z. The anode of the phototube 13] is connected to the control grid of tube 13T, and the junction point of sources 13Y and 13Z is connected to the cathode of tube 13T, so that upon illumination of the tube 131 the control grid of tube 13T is driven negatively with respect to its cathode, to thereby cut off or appreciably reduce the ow of current through tube 13T, with the result that the potential at the anode of tube 13T increases to such an extent that the connected control grid of tube 13E rises sufficiently to become conductive and to thereby allow oscillations developed at the oscillator stage 13 to appear across the cathode output resistance 18.

These tubes 13E, 14E, 15E are rendered conducting either when the associated phototubes 131, 14], 15J are energized by the corresponding light sources 13K, 14K

. and 15K, or, in the alternative, when either one of the by allow super-audible signals of frequencies f1, f2 and fs to alternately appear on the output lead 24.

The tape for the generation of the super-audibleV signals f1, fz, and f3 may be more clearly seen by regarding Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. The perforated plate 48 is interposed between the photocells and the tape so that each of the three photocells is respectively positioned opposite aperture 13W, 14W, and 15W (respectively aligned with photocells 13], 14], and 15J). The fr sic,- nals are generated bymeans of the apertures in the tape 14V passing by the plate aperture 14W. The f2 signals are generated by means of the apertures in the tape 13V passing by the perforation 13W, and the perforations in the tape 15V generate the f3 signals in passing under aperture 15W.

It is observed that the adjustable resistances 131?, MPv

and 15P in corresponding modulator stages 13, 14 and 15 are used to adjust the level of the corresponding signals f1, f2 and f3 appearing on the lead 24. These signalsl appearing on lead 24 are transferred through the transient suppressing network 25 which includes the'series condenser 26 and shunt connected resistance 27. The lead 24 is thus connected through serially connected resistance 20 and condenser 26, and through the adjustable tap on the potentiometer resistance 28 to the control grid of the cathode follower tube 29, on the grid of which is also applied the audio signals developed byy the microphone or pickup 12. The current or voltage'variations developedby suchtransducer 12 are'applied to the control grid of the amplifying stage 30. The amplified output appearing on the anode of tube 30 is transferred through a conventional 75-microsecond emphasis circuit Slifer purposes of emphasizing theV high frequencies in accordance with well established frequencyA modulatingV transvmission techniques.

The output of this network 31 is transferred to the control grid of the cathode follower tube 33, the cathode load resistance 34 of which is in shunt with the primary winding 35 of the transformer gestage 36. `The secondary winding oftransformer` 3,6 is counected to opposite outside terminals of potentiometer ref sistance 28, so that the movable tap on the resistance 28 may be adjusted to correspondingly. adjust the output level of audio signal applied to the control grid of tube 29..

The resulting mixed audio `and tone signals appearing on the cathode of tube 29 are Vapplied tothe frequency modu components as well as to perform certain control operations in accordance with the signals of frequencies f1, f2 and f3. f i

Besides transmitting the aforementioned frequency modulated wave, the station also sends out a scrambled video signal by means ofthe video antenna 50. Thus the transmission froml antennas 11 and 50 contain all of the information required for recreation of the program televised, provided of course that means are present at the receiving station indicated in Figure 2 .forunscrambling the received video signals. So far as the present invention is concerned, the scrambling means at the trar`1smitter and the unscrambling means at the receiver may take diiferent forms, different systems of which are shown in the prior art, but the one preferred is theuone shown and claimed in the copending application of Allen D. Hoifmann and Robert E. Gottfried, Serial No. 224,622, tiled May 4, 1951, and assigned to the same assignee Vas the present invention. t

The receiver shown in Figure 2 includes the conventional antenna 51 coupled to the conventional channel tuner 52. The receiver shown is of the so-called. dual- I. F. type using the superheterodyne principle, and thev .or 57 depending uponthe energized condition of the video relay windingSS. The output of the detector, stage 56 and unscrarnblingmeans 57 isgapplied` to the video amplitier 5 9, which in turn is coupled `to the picture tube 6i). Normally, the relay-switch 55 is in the position shown in Figure 2, and in such case a scrambledpicture'apppears t on the viewing surface of the cathode ray picture Vtube 60. The video relay winding 58 is energized only when certain conditions are realized, such conditions being described in detail hereinaftenbut when such conditions occur, the unscrambling nieans`57 is connected `to the S and `22 kilocycles, respectively,... The means described presently for separating these tone signals at the receiver from each other, and from the sound, vincorporates important features of the present invention, and briefly comprises the high bandpass filter 63, a so-called jaguartoothed amplifier, including tube 61 and serially connected high Q (quality factor) tuned circuits 63, 69 and Y 70, as well as the pickoff stage 71 and the tuned circuits video amplifier to cause'a clearpicture to appear on the viewing surface ofthe tubel60. VThe means whereby the winding 58 may` be energized is now described in detail.

The aforementioned frequency` modulated wave, after being detected in the stage 53, is applied to the control;

grid of tube 61 through the isolating resi-stance `61? and bandpass lter 63 and resistance V64, for purposes of separating the tone signals of frequencies f1, fz and f3. Also, Y

for purposes of'rreproducing the sound components de-M veloped by the transducer12 (Figure l), theloutput of the stage53 nis applied tothe speaker 66 after passing through the low pass filter and audio amplifier stage 67.

It is noted that thethree tone signalshaye frequencies Which'lie relatively close to eachother`,`namelyl7.9, 20

VThe bandpass filter 63 includes the series condenser 63A and shunt connected condenser 63B and resistance 63C, and while other high bandpass circuits may be pro- Vvided for this general purpose of decreasing the amplitude of the sound audio appearing on the control grid of tube 61, the simple one shown herein is preferred forV this purpose. lt is observed that the tuned circuits 72, 73 are coupled to the anode of tube 71 and thus have a selective effect on the signals.

The tube 61 is preferably a triode, and for purposes of increasing the effective plate resistance of the same its cathode is returned to ground through the resistance 80, and its anode is connected tothe positive terminal of voltage source 81 through the serially connected tuned circuits 68, 69, 70 and decoupling resistance 82, the circuits 68, 69 and 70 being parallel tuned, respectively, to frequencies fr, fz and f3. The anode of tube 61 is cou pled through condenser 84 to the control grid of tube 71,

such control grid being returned to the negative ungrounded terminal of voltage source 86 through resistance 85. The cathode of tube 71 is grounded, and the voltage of source 86 is relatively small, in the order of 31/2 volts, for purposes of maintaining tube 71 normally, in its quiescent state, non-conducting and of obtaining grid limiting of the incoming signal. The anode of tube 71 is connected to the positive terminal of source 81 through the coupling resistance 88. The signal developed on the anode of tube 71 is coupled, by means of condenser 89, to three separate circuits, namely, the tuned circuit72, the tuned circuit 73, and the voltage dividing circuit 90. These circuits 72, 73 and 9i) are connected in shunt with each other and have one of their terminals connected to the ungrounded negative terminal of voltage source 92, which serves as a bias voltage for the control grids of tubes 95 and 96, which are coupled respectively to the tuned circuits 72 and 73. Resistance 97 is serially connected to the tuned circuit 73, and likewise resistance 98 is serially connected with, the tuned circuit 72. The voltage dividing circuit comprises serially connected resistances 90A and 90B, the junction point of which is connected to the control grid of the monitoring tube 100. Y

While the lter circuit 63 serves as a pre-filter, a greater portion of the frequency selectivity is obtained using the so-called jaguar-tooth type of amplier which includes the serially connected circuits 68, 69, 70 and also by the use of tuned circuits 72, 73. While vthe amplifier tube 61 produces a discrimination as to frequency, the following stage 71 introduces discrimination as to amplitude by selecting Vor picking off the upper portions of the voltage waves at the anode of tube 61.V

Another feature of the tube 71` is that it serves essentially'as an amplitude limiter because of limiting vaction of its control grid, i. e., grid-cathode conduction occurs after the vsignals appearing on the anode of tube 61 reach a predetermined threshold value, 4and it is this threshold value which is maintained substantially'constant by limit ing on the control grid of tube 71. The signals appearing-on the anode of tube 71 are further filtered, using the tuned circuits 72, 73, which are tuned respectively to frequencies f2 and fi. Thus, tone signals Vof frequency fr are applied to the control` grid of record' tube 96; tone signals of frequency f2 Aare applied to the control grid of coin demandV tube and tone signals of frequencies fr, f2 and faV areapplied to the control grid ofso-called monitoring tube 109 as clearly shown in Figure .wherein Vpaid program.

It is by the use of the tone signals of frequencies fr, f2 and fs, which are applied alternately and in sequence, that the control apparatus shown to the right in Figure 2 is actuated in the following described manner, to'cause energization of the video solenoid 58, to cause unscrambling of the video and energization of the recording head 57A, to cause recording, in coded form, of the day, hour and station.

Pulse distribution unit actuated by tone signals fr, f2 and f3 In general, the purpose of the pulse distribution system shown in Figure 2 is to utilize the signals of frequencies of f1, f2 and f3 so that the following functions are performed: (l) Stepping the coin demand solenoid actuated mechanism in accordance with the number of f2 pulses to a position dictated by the price of a particular program, whereby the user may pay or acknowledge the tion transmitting a paid program, will, at that instantj receive either f1, f2 or fa pulses, depending of course what type of pulses are being transmitted at that particular instant. As mentioned previously, the number of f1 pulses serves to identify the program, the f2 pulses serve to establish a coin demand depending upon the number of such fz pulses. It is therefore necessary that means be provided herein to assure a proper sequencing of the relays regardless of the time at which a subscriber tunes in his receiver in relationship to the character of the pulse being transmitted at that Vparticular time. It is necessary that, first, a coin demand be established, such coin demand being truly representative of the number of f2 pulses. lt t is further necessary that the recording be truly representative of the number of fr pulses and that such recording should be made only after a coin demand has'been established by thel correct number of f2 pulses and after a subscriber has acknowledged such coin demand by inserting the proper coinage. For these purposes, as will be more evident from the following description, the fr pulses serve to condition the apparatus for proper reception of the fz pulses and correct actuation of the coin demand stepping mechanism. Thus, assuming that f2 pulses are being transmitted at the instant when a subscriber tunes his receiver to a paid program, the coin demand stepping mechanism will not be actuated in accordance with such f2 pulses but will be actuated only after f1 pulses are received and the apparatus is properly conditioned for reception of the full number of fz pulses. Likewise, after a coin demand is established by the f2 pulses, consideration is given to the fact that a certain unpredictable time is required for a user or subscriber to insert the proper coinage, i. e. to acknowledge the coin demand. The apparatus described herein functions to make arecording of the f1 pulses only after a coin demand has been made and has been acknowledged. It is therefore necessary: to properly condition the apparatus once a coin acknowledgement has'been made, to properly record all of the fr pulses. For that purpose, as described more fully hereinafter, the f2 pulses vserve to condition the apparatus for proper recording of a full sequence of f1 pulses'so that a permanent record of the program may be obtained in terms of the number of such f1 pulses. Thus, assuming that, at the time a coin acknowledgement is madel and f1 pulses are at that time being transmitted, a recording' will not be made at that particular time of such f1 pulses since there is a likelihood that all of such f1 vpulses would not be recorded; therefore, the recording apparatus is'rendered sensitive for the recording of f1 pulses onlyv after it has been properly conditioned by the reception of f2 pulses. Thus, the system described herein incorporates means for preventing operation of the coin demand mechanism until it has been conditioned for operation by the rpulses; and likewise, the system described herein incorporates means for preventing a recording until such recording apparatus has been conditioned for proper operation by reception of fz pulses.

Briefly, the tone signals of frequency f2 cause operation of a stepping mechanism a number of times in accordance with the number of openings 13V in the tape 23 at the transmitter. Each one ofthe openings 13V represents tive cents, so that the series of nine openings represents a program having a value of forty-tive cents. In other words, the coin demand solenoid 110 is actuated nine times in response to the nine apertures 13V in the tape 23, to cause the switch arm 110A to be moved over a corresponding number of stationary contacts having numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, '5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 in Figure 4.

VBy this expedient, a visual representation may be made of the amount required in order to produce unscrambled video. In such case, the visual indication would be fortyve cents, and upon inserting the required coins in the coin operated mechanism of vthe character shown herein and in the copending patent application of Lorenzo del Riccio, Serial No. 189,262, filed October 9, 1950, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, the coin pay solenoids 111, 112 are actuated to step the switch arm 113 to a position Where it corresponds with the position kof the switch arm 110A, and in such case-thereis what is termed herein as a coincident condition. In order to allow a person to operate the apparatus not having the required change, i. e., in this instanceV forty-five cents, but a fifty-cent piece, an arcuate contact arm 110B is mounted on the end of arm 110A to allow the coincident condition to'be realized even though the arms 110A, 113 themselves areV not rotated the same angular distance by their respective stepping mechanisms. When this coincident condition is achieved, the video solenoid 58 is automatically energized to cause an unscrambled picture, vand therecording head 57A is likewise energized through switch VX5 and a recording is automatically madeof the number of f1 pulses passing through' the said recording head to thereby obtain a permanent record of the program which has been acknowledged. 'Y

The manner in which these aforementioned results are obtained is now described in relationship to the specific apparatus for accomplishing the same. The signals of frequencies f1, f2 and f3, in the Vform of Vcoded pulses, are available continuously throughout any one program. They occur alternately, that is, no two ever are present simultaneously. It is noted that the signal of frequency f1 contains the record information, and that the signal of frequency f2 contains the coin demand information, while the tone signal fs is for monitoring purposes, i. e., for filling in purposes, so that the apparatus receives signals even thoughv there is no f1 or f2 signal present.

VA feature of the system is that it is able to operate correctly even though the user tunes in his receiver at any time during motion of the endless tape 23 at the transmitting station. l

Anothersubsidiary feature is that after a complete cycle, that isfafter the Irecording has taken place, the

system locks itself out soV that it does notrespond Vto* further incoming information.

lar station is tuned in, thyratron tube 100 is tired since tone signals of frequencies f1, fz` and fs are applied to such tube, and it will remain red as long aslthev receiver is tuned to a paid program. I f

Initially, the system is as shown in itsfdeenergized condition. For matter of convenience, the windings of the relays have certain reference' letters, while the switches which are actuated when the corresponding relay winding is energized have the same reference letter but with a different number appended thereto. When turned on to a paid program, relay M is energized and thus makes direct current voltage available through its switch M1 t0 other parts of the system. The plate load relay W of tube 96 is then suppliedl with direct current voltage through switch X7 .and switch Z5. Under this condition there is no voltage applied to either of the plate loads connected to tube 95.` p

Thus, the system "sees'nothing until the first fr pulse res the thyratron tube 96. Y is energized and a D.C. voltageis applied through switch W4 to relay Z. Relay Z remains energized through its switch Z4, which is normally open and cooperates with switch Z in such a manner that the switch Z4 is closed before switch Z5 is opened. Thus, whenrelay Z is energized switch Z5 interrupts the current to relay W, i. e. the

current which ows from the ungrounded terminal of` thel D. C. source through switches "Z5, X7, winding W, tube 96 and through the D. C. source.A This, of course, happens very rapidly and relay W is energized just momentarily, the aforementioned current owing through the relay winding W and tube l96being interrupted after each f1 pulse.

With relay Z thus energized there is now available an alternating current voltage through switch Z3V which is applied to a plate load, i. e., the coin demand solenoid 110 in the plate circuit of tube 95.'

Further incoming` pulses of frequency f1 have no effect, and the system is now set up to respond to pulsesof frequency fz. A l n Pulses of frequency f2 are now received and re tube 95, which in turn causesoperation of 4the coin demand solenoida number of times correspondingto the lnumber of pulses transmitted fromthe transmitting station,` i. e., the number of openings 13V in the tape Z3.

As the coin demand solenoid 110is operated, the coin demand cam 115 is likewise rotated in a step by step manner to cause actuation of switch A, so Vas to 'remove one of the grounds on the hold coil Z. The. hold coil Z still remains energized, however, through a: ground connection provided by switch W6. Theswitch, D is likewise under this condition actuated so as to apply a D-.-C. voltage to the relay W through switch X7. Thus, once again tube 96 is in a irable condition. After the f2 cycle, the rst f1 pulse to arrive tires tube 9 6, thereby energizing relay W, which in turn removes the only other ground provided for relay Z, so that nowthe relay Z becomes deenergized. The system at this-stage is in a dormant condition and remains so until the condition of coincidence is met, i. e., until the coin pay solenoid is energized by the user'inserting the required coins in the apparatus.

After the coin demand has been made theknext sueceeding f1 pulse causes relay W tofbe energized by a current which flows from the ungrounded terminal of the D. C. source through switches D, X7,'winding,`W, tube 96,'and through the D. C. -source,\-an'd in such caseV the coin pay solenoids have complete circuits through the switch W5, such circuits extending from the ungrounded terminal of the D. C. source from the coin pay solenoidsv 111, 112 through the coin operated switches 266, 283, through switch W5 and the D. C. source, through the coincidence switch 113, 110A (P, D) through winding X and'through such D. C. source. When the coin pay When this occursV relay W uponrepeatedoperation of the solenoid 111 and/or 112,

as the cas'e may be, a D.C. voltage is applied to relay f X, causing this relay to be energized. In such case, the current flows from the ungrounded terminal of the D. C. source through the aforementioned circuit.

When relay X is energized as described above several new, conditions are achieved. First, the' video solenoid 58 is energized since it is in parallel with winding X s'of that the program is now intelligible for the viewer. Second, there is introduced into the anode circuit of tube 96 through switch X5 a shunt plate load'which comprises the recording head 57A. There is, however, no voltage applied to these loads so tube 96 is not in condition for firing; but there is a D.C. voltage applied to relay Y which is the plate load of tube 95. This voltage is applied through switches X1 and Z1.

' Thus, the first f2 pulse after coincidence fires tube 95. This in turn causes energization of relay Y and causes a D.C. voltage to be applied through switch Y1 to relay Z.

As stated before, relay Z acts as a hold coil through its own (make-before-break) switch Z4. Thus relay Z becomes `energized and then opens switch Z1, so that the.

D.C. voltage theretofore applied to relay Y is removed. This happens very rapidly and relay Y is energized just momentarily.

The relay Z is energized causingan A.C. voltage to beapplied to the plate loads, i. e., relay W and recording i head 57A through switches X2 and Z2 of relay Z, so that tube 96 isin condition for liring. Also at this point tape `d`rive `motor r1717 becomes energized through switches Z2 and X2. A

Then the next fr pulse fires tube 96 to cause the particular information, in coded form, to be recorded on j tape driven by motor 117. The first' f1 pulse which fires tube 96 also causes energization of relay W. At this stage the hold coil of relay W is energized, since there is a VDV.C. voltage on the movable contact of switch VW2. At this stage all the contacts of relay W are maintained at, a hold condition. Thus a D. C. voltage is once more applied to relay Y throughV contacts W1, so that the relay Z is grounded only through switch Y2. t Therefore, with the tube in a iirable condition, the rst f2"pulse, after the recording cycle, i. e., after the fr pulses, tires tube 95 anclcauses energzation of relay Y. With relay Y energized` the only other ground, i. e., through switch Y2 of relay Z, is removed and relay Z thus becomes deenergized.

, Thus atthis time there is no Voltage on the anodes of tubes 96 and 95, so that the system s locked out, i. e.,

` it will not respond to further incoming pulses, but of `tube 160V becomes deionized and relay M becomes deene'rgized. Y Y

With relay M deenergized, the release solenoid 118 is energized through switches M2 and B, so that all mechani-4 cal 'components associated with the coin demand and coin pay solenoids return to initial conditions. Also, the D. C. voltage is then removed from the system since switch M1 is now open. Y

It is, evident that the above result, i. e., returning of the apparatus to normal condition, maybe produced merely by tuning the receiver to a dilerent channel. Thus, with the system cleared, it is ready to repeat the cycle whenever again tuned to a paid program. l

It is noted that the f1, f2 and f3 pulses applied to the control grid of the monitoring tube 15N) appearl recurrently and alternately with some appreciable time interval between succeeding pulses, and for that reason there is a possibility that the relay M connected in the anode circuit of tube 100 and energized from the A. C. source may drop out between application of such pulses. In order to pre- 11 I l vent such dropping out, or to ,prolong the droppingou't l time, a so-called momentary holding circuit comprising l a `serially connected condenser and resistance is connected in parallel with the relay winding M.

While 'the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broad-V er aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

l. In a selling system of the type including a transmitter having a source of a first pulse series and a second pulse series occurring recurreutly and alternately representative of data including pricing data which it i's desired to transmit to a receiver to enable apparatus to establish a variable price coin demand .at said receiver and to enable purchase at said receiver by satisfaction of said coin demand, said receiver including means to receive said pulses from said transmitter, means for establishing a variable price coin demand responsive to a complete lfirst pulse series, open-circuit network means coupling said means to receive said pulses and'said means for establishing a coin demand, means for closing said open-circuit network means responsive to pulses from said second pulse series whereby said means 'to establish a coin demand s actuated by a complete first pulse series, means to acknowledge the coin demand established by said actuation to effectuate a purchase, and means-to restore said means for establishing a coin demand to an initial position responsive to a termina- Y tion of pulses from said source,

2. In a selling system ofthe type including a transmitter having a source of a first pulse series and a second pulse series occurring recurrently and alternately representative of data including pricing data which it is desired to transmit to a receiver to enable apparatus to establish a variable price coin demand at said receiver and to enable purchaseV at said receiver by satisfaction of said Vcoin demand, said receiver including means to receive said pulses from said transmitter, means for establishing a variable price coin demand responsive to a complete first pulse series, opencircuit network means coupling said means to receive said pulses and said means for establishing a coin demand, means for closing said open-circuit network means responsiveonly to said pulses from said second pulse series to enable actuation of said means for establishing a coin demand by a complete first pulse series from said means to receive pulses, means to acknowledge the coin demand established by said actuation to effectuate a purchase, recording apparatus enabled responsive to the acknowledgement of said coin demand by said acknowledging means,- said recording apparatus incorporating means for recording information in accordance withsaid second pulse series, and means responsive to said first pulse series from said .means to receive pulses for preventing operation of said recording apparatus prior to the start of said second pulse series.

3. in a selling system of the type including a transmitter having a source of a first pulse series and a second pulse series occurring recurrently and alternately representative of data including pricing data which it is desired to transmit to a receiver to enable apparatus to establish a variable price coin demand at said receiver to enable purchase at said receiver by satisfaction of said coin' demand, said .receiver including means to receive said pulses from said transmitter, means for establishing a variable price coin demand responsive to a complete series of 'said vfirst pulse series, open-circuit network means coupling said means to receive said pulses and said means for establishing a'coinl demand, means for closing said open-circuit network means responsive only to pulses from said second series to enable actuation of said means for establishing a coin-demand by a complete series of said first pulses, means for acknowledging the coin demand established by said means for establishing a coin dem`and,vrecording apparatus, means to enable said recording apparatus responsive to the actuation of said coin demand acknowledging means, said recording apparatus incorporating means for recording information in accordancerwith said second pulse series, means responsive to said first pulse series for preventing operation of said recording apparatus prio: to the start of said second pulse series, and means operative to return said means 'for establishing a coin demand vtoan initial position upon cessation of pulses from said transmitter.

4. In a selling system of 'the type including a transmitter having a source of a first pulse series and la second pulse series occurring recurrently and alternately representative of data including pricing data which it is desired to transmit'to a receiver to enable apparatus to establish a variable price condemand at said receiver and to enable purchase at said receiver by satisfaction of said coin demand, said receiver including means to receive said pulses, means for establishing a variable price c'oin demand Vresponsive to a complete first pulse series,

meansI for recording information in accordance with a Y complete lone of said second pulse series, a first opencircuit network means interposed between said means for establishing a coin demand and said means to receive said pulses, a second open-circuit network means interposed between said means for recording information and said means to receive said pulses, means to energize said means for recording information, a third open-circuit network means interposed between said means to energize and said recording means, means responsive to one of said second pulse series for closing said first opencircuit network means to enable a complete first pulse series 'to be applied from said means to receive said pulses to said means for establishing a coin demand, means to manifest satisfaction of the coin demand established by said means for establishing a coin demand, means `responsive to said means to manifest satisfaction to close said third open-circuit network means to energize said means for recording information, means responsive to pulses from said first pulse series to close said second open-circuit network means to enable application of a complete second pulse series to said means for 'recording from said means for receiving pulses, and means responsive to a cessation of pulses from said source to restore said means for establishingY a coin demand to an initial-position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hertog Sept. 9, 1952 

